Saxo Bank calls for 3 million euros to buy Cancellara out of his contract for next season
The talk of Fabian Cancellara transferring to a new team for the 2011 season has begun to pick up speed, but just as the rumors hit fever pitch, Saxo Bank has issued its asking price for Fabian Cancellara to get out of his final year with the team, and it's not a little chunk of change. Various media outlets are reporting the sum to be 3 million euros.
It's a daring price - it's ludicrously high, making it almost a certainty that no one can come up with the amount, but so high that if someone actually antes up the cash for Cancellara's motor, Riis will be laughing all the way to the bank.
After Saxo Bank team manager, Bjarne Riis, threw a clenched first down on the table when asked about the prospect of Fabian Cancellara leaving Saxo Bank a year ahead of schedule, recent reports seem to have indicated a possible lightening in the tone between Bjarne Riis and his top rider, Fabian Cancellara, once again re-opening the door Riis had shut in convincing fashion when he said: "Try to listen, he has a contract. And all those rumors and speculations? I cannot comment on them," said the former Tour de France winner to Sporten.dk.
A recent post by the Flanders/Roubaix double winner on his personal website indicated that the transfer idea was certainly not out of the question.
"I think often about next season. It's an open secret, that other teams are talking to me. I have to say, there are some exciting ideas to go along with these offers, and also some interesting perspectives for the future - after I retire."
If anything, the native of Bern, Switzerland seemed almost hopeful that it would go through.
"Because I communicate openly with Bjarne Riis, we've naturally spoken about this situation. It makes me happy that Bjarne is coming to the Vuelta, and then we can talk about the new offers. So I hope to see how my form comes along at the Vuelta and see where I will ride next season."
Bjarne Riis won't need to make any statements following that number. It doesn't seem like there's any question now about where the World Time Trial champion will be riding in 2011.